Petoholics Anonymous

Heart-wish: Niqora and Blacky’s tale

// February 27th, 2009 // 5 Comments » // Hunters and Pets, Roleplay

It’s kind of amusing when people come to me to ask what pet they should tame with their hunter. Sure, there are theories about game mechanics that say this or that and there are some hunters I know who switch out pets frequently. But I’m a firm believer in the phrase “you play what you feel is right”. So when I wrote the following story, I tried to capture what a true bond between a hunter and her companion can feel like. Enjoy.

The air was thick with moisture from the recently departed rain. It formed dewdrops on the leaves of the bush Niqora was shrouded in, drops that fell to mingle with her black fur. Her breathing was slow and quiet, her will carefully controlling what her lungs took in and out. Every one of her muscles was taunt in anticipation and ached so, but she dared not move in case her quarry would hear her motions. She would be patient, she was always patient.

Her body may have been still but her thoughts danced around her head as always. She was thinking of the black worg that had accompanied her for so many seasons. She cared dearly for him, as a hunter should for any of her pets. Indeed they were true friends, but Niqora had always felt a restlessness, a tug at her heart that had eventually led her here to Feralas. The worg did not complain when she had left him in the capable hands of the local stablemaster and wandered out under the gigantic trees that dwarfed even the tall Shu’halo. He knew that his friend needed to seek out her heart-wish. Even though she had not spoken a word to him about it, he knew in the way only an animal could. He would not worry for her safety as he usually did, but instead focus his attention on cracking the marrow from the large juicy bone the stablemaster had presented him.

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Three things that make me happy

// May 22nd, 2008 // 7 Comments » // Hunters and Pets, Random Stuff

Number 1

Knowing that I’m not the only one who understands the relationship between human and animal. All of you who left comments on my post about Blacky have my most sincere thanks. Your responses made me smile and even brought tears to my eyes. I know that my pup can never be replaced but having good friends always makes the hole left behind feel that much smaller. I even plan to adopt another dog from a rescue shelter when I have the money. Years of companionship, happiness, and memories are far outweigh the pain of loss.

And I apologize for making some of you cry.

Number 2

Right after Althoran left his comment about Blacky’s story, he came to visit Niqora in the game. I was so happy to get my first fan visit! He’s a real sweetheart. I’m glad he enjoyed his visit on Moon Guard and I hope he sticks around!

Number 3

I’d like everyone to meet the newest addition to Niqora’s team, Brakk. The name just came to me while Niqora was riding him around Felwood. I just love him and his swift running. One more thing I can cross off my to-do list.

And Niqora is level 61

Here’s to good memories

// May 20th, 2008 // 13 Comments » // Random Stuff

I’m sure by now a lot of you know of Blacky, Niqora’s black wolf pet. I did not name her Blacky because I am that unimaginative As I have mentioned briefly before, the wolf is named after my RL black Labrador retriever. The real Blacky passed away on May 15 of last year. She was my best friend for 14 and a half years. In honour of her, I would like to tell you who exactly she was.

There are some souls that can never be kept down, no matter what happens to them. Blacky was one of those souls. She was always so full of life that even when she was far into her years, I would still call her my pup. Her bones could be sore from her mild arthritis but she would walk up to greet me with her little jump and toss of her head. The two of us had a special connection that is hard to describe. We understood each other in a way, with sidelong looks and an intuition of what the other was thinking or going to do.

There were many times when I was feeling down or I just needed her company so I would go into the garage where her bed was (she was an outside dog) and just spend some time petting her. Even on the coldest winter days I would do that. We both enjoyed these little pockets of time together and sometimes when I would start to get up, she would clamp her paw down on my leg hard, telling me to stay put and pet her some more. I would always chuckle when she did that.

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